Steve Martin on ‘Give Me the Banjo’

In music, there are few things more insane than an amateur going and trying to sit down with a real player. But that’s just what John Hockenberry did earlier this week, when he went to the house of comedian, author and banjo  aficionado Steve Martin. A documentary called “Give Me the Banjo” airs tonight, and is narrated by Martin. But in the comedian’s New York City apartment, talking about the banjo – as well as Martin’s long career in comedy and interest in music – was augmented by some performance and a lesson or two.   Listen below to one of Martin’s original songs, “Northern Island,” which was inspired by a visit to the Ukon as well as a painting by canadian artist Lawren Harris that was hanging on the wall in the room where he played with Hockenberry.